'War Crime': Iran claims US strike hits India-bound humanitarian aid aircraft

The plane, operated by Mahan Air, was scheduled to travel to New Delhi as  part of humanitarian mission, carrying or facilitating transport of medicines and and other medical supplies.

An Iranian civilian aircraft en route to India was reportedly struck in a US airstrike at Mashhad airport, according to ANI citing Iranian sources. The plane, operated by Mahan Air, was scheduled to travel to New Delhi as  part of humanitarian mission, carrying or facilitating transport of medicines and and other medical supplies.

The aircraft was stationed at Mashhad International Airport when it was hit during the reported airstrike, disrupting the planned aid mission. The plane was intended to support ongoing humanitarian coordination efforts between India and Iran. There was no immediate confirmation from the United States regarding the reported strike.

According to reports, the aircraft was scheduled to reach New Delhi in the coming days to assist in transporting humanitarian supplies, including medicines. The disruption has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of civilian and aid-related aviation operations in the region amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The incident occurs at a time when Iran has been working with India to coordinate humanitarian shipments. Earlier this month, India sent aid consignments to Iran, highlighting what New Delhi described as enduring civilisational and humanitarian ties between the two countries.

While there has been no immediate official confirmation from the United States regarding the reported strike, the development is expected to further strain already tense relations between Washington and Tehran. 

In a sharply worded reaction, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation described the incident as a “war crime” and a clear breach of international law. In a statement shared by Iran’s mission in India on X, the organisation said the aircraft was transporting medicines and medical equipment sourced from multiple countries as part of a humanitarian mission.

It also said that targeting such a civilian aircraft amunted to a "blatant biolation" of internatinal aviation regulations and was contrary to the principles of humanitarian law.

The Civil Aviation Organisation urged international bodies to promptly investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and implement measures to prevent similar threats to civil aviation.

Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest private carriers, has been under US sanctions for years, with Washington alleging ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and accusing it of transporting personnel and equipment linked to regional conflicts, claims that Tehran has consistently denied.

The reported strike at Mashhad is part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting aviation infrastructure in Iran amid ongoing regional conflict. Previous conflict have also resulted in damage to aircraft at Iranian airports, heightening concerns over the vulnerability of civilian aviation assets in such conditions.